Some work environments, hostile as advertised, are not actionable

Labor Daze

By Laura B. Bacon

Laura B. Bacon of Nixon Peabody LLP focuses her practice on commercial litigation and labor and employment. She represents clients in both state and federal courts in addition to various administrative venues.

Posted April 19, 2018 1:44 PM

When it comes to hostile work environments, not all workplaces are created equal.In the Northern District’s ruling in Westbrook v. Illinois Department of Human Services last month, analysis of the plaintiff’s claim centered on the fact that the hostility of her work environment was as-advertised and therefore did not give rise to a viable claim under federal law.Velma Westbrook was hired by the Illinois Department of Human Services in 2001 to serve as a security aide in a treatment center for mentally ill …

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